Victorious Smyrna ballet offers 'Giselle'

Sixteen-year-old Katie Stevens takes the stage Saturday at 7 p.m. in “Giselle,” a ballet about a beautiful, sweet but weak-hearted girl, who falls in love with a nobleman and experiences great tragedy as a result.

Most schools wouldn’t undertake a full ballet, especially a small school like Cobb County’s International City School of Ballet. But Artistic Director Georne Aucoin knew that her students were equal to the task.

“Don’t let their young ages fool you,” Aucoin says. “These kids show remarkable depth of character and dancing ability.”

The school is fresh off victory at the world finals of the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City. Of more than 125 ensembles from around the world, the school was one of only four from the United States to place in the Top 12, along with such powerhouses as Ellison Ballet, Ballet West and The Rock School for Dance Education.

YAGP is the largest, most prestigious and most challenging ballet competition for young people in the United States today. The international organization also hosts events in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan and China.

For the past two years, the International City School of Ballet has been chosen Outstanding School in the Atlanta region by the Youth America Grand Prix.

The International City School of Ballet’s production of “Giselle” will premiere on Saturday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the Cobb County Civic Center. Tickets are $15 and $20 and can be purchased online at www.icsballet.ticketleap.com/giselle.